Kyle Konin to serve as Lightning’s EBUG for 2026-27

A somewhat familiar face might have a more significant role this year.

According to Lightning Insider Erik Erlendsson, Kyle Konin is reportedly set to be the Tampa Bay Lightning’s emergency backup goaltender for the 2026-27 season.

The news comes as the NHL turns the page to its new collective bargaining agreement. Along with a playoff salary cap and a looser dress code, teams must now have full-time emergency backups on staff, rather than a person waiting in the stands on game nights, in case either team in action needs someone to strap on the pads on a whim.

Per the league’s rules, EBUGs must wear 00.

Konin is no stranger to the NHL, despite having never played a game during this career. Over the past four years, the West Kingston, R.I. native has been called up as an EBUG five times, thanks to him living in Tampa Bay. He has dressed in three games for the Lightning, most recently last April when Jonas Johansson was ruled out of a regular-season game with an injury. Konin has also dressed in games for the Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues over his “career.”

It has been a while since the 28-year-old played competitively. He spent one season at the club college level, the 2019-20 season, with Grand Valley State, a member of the American Collegiate Hockey Association. He played for both their DII and DIII teams. He played junior hockey for the Vermont Lumberjacks and New Hampshire Avalanche of the Eastern Hockey League, and the Atlanta Capitals of the North American Tier-III Hockey League